Who’s your favorite female author of the 21st century?
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Wow, this was a toughie question. I like a lot of female authors, but either they have only written a few books, or I have only read a few, so I disqualified them from being my favorite. This left me with Ann Patchett. Each book is different as opposed to being a series that I may like (looking at you Louise Penny) but all are well written and an automatic buy for me. Plus, how can I not support a bookstore owner who works at supporting other authors.
But, Kim, this is not fair. Who is your favorite?
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Haha, yeah. After I posted that I got to thinking how I’d answer the question.
It would have to be someone whose books I can’t wait to read - someone whose book I’d order even before it came out because I was so eager to read absolutely everything the author has written.
I need to go back through my reading list, but as of right now, the only author I can think of to whom that applies is Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu. Not trying to suck up since she’s currently visiting the forum, but truly, the books of hers that I’ve read are creative and entertaining and surprising…they’re just really interesting and cool. Certainly part of that could be that she’s top of mind. But I’m up to over 50 books so far this year, more than half of which have female authors, and there are only two authors I’m truly interested in reading more of (Ndlovu and Stephanie Dray).
I haven’t read any Patchett at all, surprisingly. I’ll have to pick up something by her soon.
Oh! Here’s one: Barbara Kingsolver. She’s another author who writes phenomenal books, all of which are different.
Another favorite author: Margaret Atwood. The MaddAddam Trilogy was awesome and all three were published this century.
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Oh, that’s a loaded question! I’m a huge fan of Freida McFaddon. I love a good mystery and she always surprises me!
I also love Kristin Hannah. I haven’t read all of of her books, but I’ve set a goal for myself and I know that she’s gotten better over the years.
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Off the top of my head I would have to say Imani Perry and running a close second is Tiya Miles.
If I had to choose in fiction it would be hard to pass up Louise Penny. She has created a place and characters that I so love visiting.
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Kristin Hannah by a large margin, but I never turn down Louise Penny. Her body of work is smaller but Celeste Ng is up there, too. Madeline Miller needs to put out more books and then she would receive consideration. I also really like Elizabeth Strout!
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Dee, I agree Ann Patchett is also my favorite. Saw her in person years ago and her talk was wonderful! And yes that bookstore how I would love to visit!
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A little off-topic, but @Dee_Driscole and @Paula_Walters, have either of you read The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss? I think you’d like it. Ann Patchett and her bookshop are featured in the latter part of the book. He quoted her as saying she didn’t open an indie bookstore to make a profit. “It was more about protecting an endangered species.” Love that!
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Which Patchett novel should I start with? Any opinions?
I have not read that, thank you I will.
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I love her first book The Patron Saint of Liars and have read it twice . The Dutch House is excellent. I read it but then also listened to it as Tom Hanks was the reader. She wanted him to do it but was leary of asking him because he is so busy. When he said yes she was thrilled.
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Louise Penny is one of my favorite writers. I like mysteries, well written mysteries with engaging characters.
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For me it depends on the genre. For Historical Fiction—Stephanie Dray was fantastic in Becoming Madame Secretary and I loved the Woman of Chateau Lafayette.
For Literally Fiction Emily Henry has many enjoyable books. Elizabeth Strout was rewarding in her Olive series and Tell Me Everything.
I am currently reading All Adults Here by Elizabeth Straub. The themes of getting older and analyzing your parenting style while watching your children being parent has “been eye opening” for me for my parenting mistakes.
I also agree it is a hard answer because there are many talented authors today. I agree Ann Patchett is top on my list. Tom Lake and the Dutch House are two of my favorites.
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Louise Erdrich is my front runner. With Anne Patchett and Elizabeth Strout close behind.
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Tom Lake was a good one.
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Kristin Hannah and Elin Hilderbrand. I have never read anything by either of them that I was not captivated by.
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Yikes! I was oblivious that most of the booksI read (fiction or non-fiction) are written by male authors which I think is due in part to thinking of books like a box of chocolates - just have to sample as many different authors as possible. I have read several books by Kristin Hannah and Jodi Picolt and enjoyed them. “Demon Copperhead” was the first book I by Barbara Kingsolver. I enjoyed that immensely and plan to read more of her books.
On a lighter note, I enjoyed a number of mystery books written by Ellen Cosby several years ago. Each book revolved around a specific type of wine and a mystery at a winery.
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@Jill_Mercier I was surprised that so many of the books I’ve read this year have had women authors; I would have bet I’d read more men, too.
I think it’s super interesting that up until recently, most books that got published were by male authors. Until the 1970s the split was 20-80. It’s only been in the past 10 or 20 years that women have made up half (or more) of published authors. So you’re not alone! Until recently your options were limited. 
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Read The Magicians Assistant on a plane and crouched in the corner of the seat as I cried my way through sections of the book. A second read will be interesting.
I also found The Dutch House read by Tom Hanks a superb audio book!
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A parallel change is evident in Black authors! WordsRated reported:
- Overall, since 2014, the number of Black authors has increased by 21.88%, but it’s important to point out that basically all of these gains occurred solely during 2020.
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